DESCRIPTION:
Irya Gmeyner spent her early years in Newcastle, England. She moved with her English parents to Sweden but returned to England as a teenager, where she made a living as a busker playing balalajka in the streets. After a year in England, Irya returned to Sweden and started Circus Cirkör along with Tilde Björfoss and some friends. At the same time, she and a childhood friend from Delsbo started the group URGA, with Irya as the lead singer. URGA has made 3 albums and played over 700 concerts around the world. URGA is still a name on the alternative underground music scene, even though the band has't played live for several years.

Irya Gmeyner and Pange Öberg are the driving force behind Irya's Playground -- they write, record and produce all the music. Together with the band members Erik Nilsson (Drums) and Jon Bergström (Guitar), who have been influential in the studio, a sound has been created, with musicians like Ebbot Lundberg, Conny Nimmersjö, Bebe Risenfors, Martin Hederos and Stefan Axelsen.

Irya's Playgrounds music breathes the big city, with influences such as dub, punk, new wave and electro. The music is pared down, but beneath the surface it bubbles with energy and attitude. Always with a fantastic voice in focus.